Why a stick shift?

[Red Wolf]

I just wish there was still full sized pickup trucks available with manual stick shift.

[Scottay]

Originally Posted by Red Wolf

Also, I don't like cruise control with automatics.

Yeah, I dont either!!! Funny, my V6 Toyota Tacoma, an automatic, had to downshift when I was towing my motorcycle up hills, with or without the cruise control on. With my 4-cylinder manual Honda CRV I can leave it in 5th gear with the cruise control on and it just charges up the hill, even the 6% grades here in the mountains of Arizona. The closer gear ratios in the manual make the 4 banger feel stronger than the V6.

[raveabouttoast]

Originally Posted by Baby Pink

I wish I knew how to drive a stick shift. My car has both manual and automatic transmission. I was driving one time and I didn't know I had it the manual position and i was stepping on the gas and it wasn't moving. I thought my car was broken.

That's just an automatic transmission. The manumatic or "manual" mode on most autos are a joke. It still feels like an auto and will still change gears on its own.

Originally Posted by Red Wolf

I just wish there was still full sized pickup trucks available with manual stick shift.

I think the Ram with the diesel engine can still be purchased with a manual. But I agree it's a shame that they aren't available on other trucks (or SUVs). I think the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan Xterra are the only SUVs you can get with a manual.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Red Wolf

I just wish there was still full sized pickup trucks available with manual stick shift.

OMG, this is news to me, but I see that manual is still available in 3/4 ton + (so obviously the meaning of 'full-sized pickup' has changed, which appears to have been done to add some foriegn models into 'full-size'.

Actually many manual transmissions in pickup trucks are pretty wimpy post 1990's with many having aluminum housings, and no granny gear.

Guess this is more reason for continuing to drive 'old-iron'. I can't imagine the pain of tugging a loaded hay wagon across a soggy pasture and down a steep grass grade with an automatic. Darn Scary (I envision hay, trailer, pickup, & driver all tangled up in the fence and creek at the bottom of the hill.) THEN you have to walk home, get the tractor and drag everything out, and THEN fix the fence